Prescription renewal requests can be sent by fax from your pharmacy. We ask that you submit your renewal requests 1 week prior to requiring them. Renewals that are required in less than 72 hours will be subject to a $15.00 rush fee.
The Hamilton Family Health Team offers a number of health classes and programs to help you better manage your health. Our groups cover a wide variety of health concerns, including 
nutrition, mental health, and addictions, and some are exclusively for youth or women. Search through our groups to find one that works best for you.
All our groups are run by health professionals who want to help you feel more confident about making healthy changes in your life!
Managing My Health - With a little help from our friends @ the HFHT
How do you know the difference between kids being kids, and kids who may have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD)? Kids often have a lot of energy and can be fidgety and have trouble paying attention. They don't always follow instructions and they say inappropriate things. Some children can be labeled as troublemakers and their caregivers can be blamed for the way they behave.
All kids sometimes forget to do chores, have a messy room, or don't want to do homework. But sometimes these behaviours can be a symptom of ADHD or ADD. Children with ADHD/ADD often have trouble paying attention, act impulsively, and are hyperactive, and this can make it harder for them to do well in school, get things done at home, and get along with others.
If you are worried about your child's behaviour, how they're doing in school, or how they're playing with other children, talk to your family doctor or nurse. They can listen to your concerns, give you medical help, and refer you to the Mental Health Counsellor at your family doctor's office for information and ongoing support.
For more information on ADHD in children and youth, please see the following resources:
Dementia is a term for many brain disorders where physical changes in the brain cause problems with memory and brain function. Alzheimer's disease is a kind of dementia. While it is normal to become more forgetful with age, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias are not a part of normal aging. Learn what kind of memory problems are considered a normal part of aging, and what kind of memory problems might be related to dementia.
If you are having memory problems, it is important to talk to your doctor about your concerns as soon as possible, even if your memory problems seem to be the kind that are a normal part of aging. Dementia is best treated when it is found at an early stage.
Memory problems and dementia happen to some people as they get older. Because Canada's population is aging, there are a lot of people in Canada living with dementia.
Learn more about:
- Identifying dementia
- Community resources for people with dementia and their families
- Driving and dementia - how to stay safe
- How to keep teeth and gums healthy (includes some helpful tips for caregivers)
Sometimes feeling nervous or worried can be helpful because it pushes you to get things done, or lets you know you may be in danger. But an anxiety disorder can make you feel fearful and upset most of the time. Your feelings get so strong that they start cause problems in your daily life, and your friendships, school, work, social activities and hobbies suffer. You start avoiding situations that cause these strong feelings.
Different types of anxiety disorders include:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (you worry about everyday things, activities or events, and it makes it hard for you to function at work, home or school)
- Panic Disorder (you have panic attacks, with symptoms like racing heart, feeling faint, and intense discomfort)
- Agoraphobia (you feel uncomfortable or anxious being in places where it would be hard to leave)
- Specific Phobia (you fear a thing or situation such as heights or flying)
- Social Anxiety Disorder (you fear or avoid situations where you may be judged, such as social or performance situations)
For more information, speak with your Family Physician, Nurse, or ask for a referral to a Mental Health Counsellor or to a Mental Health Group. Learn more about anxiety at the Canadian Mental Health Association.
What Is Asthma?
According to the Asthma Society of Canada, asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway that causes the following symptoms:
- shortness of breath
- tightness in the chest
- coughing
- wheezing
These symptoms:
- can be mild, moderate or severe
- can vary from person to person
- can flare up from time to time and then not appear for long periods
- can vary from one episode to the next
People with asthma often have trouble breathing when they are around what are called triggers. When someone with asthma has symptoms, it means that air is obstructed (blocked) as it passes in and out of the lungs. This happens because of one or both of the following:
- The lining of the airways becomes inflamed (irritated, reddened and swollen), and may produce more mucous. The more inflammation, the more sensitive the airway becomes, and the more symptoms.
- The muscles that surround the airways become sensitive and start to twitch and tighten, causing the airways to narrow. This usually happens if the inflammation is not treated.
Both of these issues cause the airways to get smaller, making it harder for air to pass in and out of them. The airways of someone with asthma are inflamed, to some degree, all the time.
The cause of asthma is not known, and currently there is no cure. However, there are many things you can do to live symptom-free:
Resources and Support:
Within the Hamilton Family Health Team, there are Registered Nurses trained as Certified Respiratory Educators (CREs) who work with your family doctor to help in the diagnosis, education and treatment of lung disease. To visit one of these nurses, speak to your doctor.
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Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that may cause major social, communication and behaviour challenges. People with ASD may talk, act, think, learn, work and play differently from other people around them. Some people with ASD need lots of help in their everyday lives, and some do not.
What causes Autism?
- Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder. That means ASD may happen when the brain does not grow and develop in the way that is normally expected.
- We do not all the causes of ASD. We do know there are likely many causes for some types, and there may be different risk factors that make some children more likely to develop ASD.
What does Autism look like?
- Autism is a "spectrum disorder". That means it looks a little bit different for every person who has Autism. Learn more about some of the early signs and symptoms.
Is there a "cure" for Autism?
- No. ASD is a lifelong condition, at least for now.
- There are treatments to help children and adults with ASD build the skills they need to enjoy and succeed in everyday life and activities. There is new research going on all the time!
Where can I find more information/help?
- Autism Ontario and POND NETWORK keep websites with up-to-date information on the latest changes and research in ASD treatment. They also have lots of patient information that may help you understand more about ASD, and what life is like for a person with Autism.
- From your family doctor. You should speak with your family doctor anytime you have concerns about your child's growth and development.
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Bipolar disorder is another mental illness that affects mood. You may feel very low sometimes (episodes of depression) and very high other times, with racing thoughts (episodes of mania). In manic episodes, you may feel unusually confident, happy or powerful, and not sleep much during these times. You may do things without thinking, including some risky behaviours.
For more information, speak with your Family Physician or Nurse, or ask for a referral to a Mental Health Counsellor. Learn more about Bipolar Disorder at the Canadian Mental Health Association.
For more information, speak with your Family Physician or Nurse, or ask for a referral to a Mental Health Counsellor. Learn more about Bipolar Disorder at the Canadian Mental Health Association.
There are many great reasons to breastfeed your baby. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, breastmilk is the best food to help your baby grow and learn because it:
- has the perfect amount of protein, fat and vitamins
- changes as your baby grows
- is easy for your baby to digest
- has antibodies to keep your baby from getting sick
- is always safe, ready-made, and is not too hot or cold
Breastfeeding is also good for you! It can help you:
- prevent breast and ovarian cancer and weak bones later in life
- lose the weight you gained during your pregnancy
- delay your period for a bit after your baby is born
- have a strong connection with your baby
- save money
Frequently asked questions
Cancer happens when cells in your body that are not normal grow and divide. These cells continue to grow and join together to make a larger clump called a tumor (too-mer), which can grow and damage the normal cells around it. It can also spread to other parts of the body. Cancer is best treated if caught early.
Cancer screening tests check if there's a very small amount of cancer in your body, so it's best to do them on a regular basis while you're feeling normal. In Ontario, there are screening tests for three types of cancer: colorectal cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer.
Colorectal Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer Facts
- Colorectal Screening
- Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
- Abnormal FOBT result
- Colonoscopy
- Registered Nurse Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Breast Cancer
Cervical Cancer
What is COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease that gets worse over time and makes it hard to breathe. It can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest.
COPD is used to describe lung diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, refractory (non-reversible) asthma, and some forms of bronchiectasis.
In most cases, COPD is diagnosed in people over 40 years of age. Someone with COPD may not realize that they are becoming more short of breath until it becomes very hard to do simple tasks like walking up stairs.
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants--such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust--may also contribute to COPD.
(Sources: Canadian Lung Association, the American National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the American COPD Foundation)
Symptoms
For more information on the symptoms of COPD, please visit The Lung Association website
Diagnosing
Your health care provider will need to ask you questions about your health history in order to help with diagnosing COPD. You can read more on diagnosing on The Lung Association website.
Treatments and Medications
COPD is not a disease that is curable, but it can be treated. For more information on the Treatments for COPD, please visit The Lung Association website. There are also different medications that can be used in the treatment of COPD, you can find a list of these on the website for The Lung Association.
When to see a Doctor
Take the Canadian Lung Health Test
Resources and Support:
- Canadian Lung Association - COPD Resources
- COPD Canada
- Get Help in your area
- Caring for my COPD is a 10-week program at the North Hamilton Community Health Centre for people who have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Speak with your family doctor or you can refer yourself to the program. You can learn more about the program by reading this flyer.
What is a cold?
The common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract (the breathing system that includes your nose and throat). It is caused by one of more than 200 viruses. Symptoms come on gradually.
What is the flu?
Also known as influenza, the flu is a respiratory illness that affects the breathing system (nose, throat, and lungs). It is contagious and is caused by one of several strains of the influenza virus. Symptoms come on suddenly and can lead to a more serious illness.
Symptoms of the cold and of the flu are alike. You can tell them apart using a chart that compares the flu vs. the common cold.
What to do if you're sick
Now that you know if you have the cold or flu, what do you do?
Since both are caused by viruses, antibiotics may not be needed. Instead, get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids. Over-the-counter medications may help ease symptoms, but contact your family physician if you have a persistent fever, if you don't feel better after a few days, if symptoms get worse, or if you belong to a high risk group (children under five, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with underlying health conditions).
How to keep from getting sick
- get the flu shot
- wash hands with soap often
- clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub
- cough or sneeze into your elbow
- avoid touching your face, eyes, mouth
- sick stay home if you're sick
- keep commonly touched surfaces disinfected and clean
- take care of yourself - get lots of rest, eat well, and be physically active
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Depression is a mental illness where you feel sad, worthless, hopeless, guilty, or anxious for a long time. You may also feel irritable or angry, and you may feel severe despair. You may lose interest in things that you used to enjoy and may stop wanting to be around other people. It can be hard to concentrate, learn new things, or make decisions.
Almost every aspect of your life can be affected, including your emotions, physical health, relationships and work. Depression can change the way you eat and sleep, and you may have other health problems and physical pain.
Postpartum depression can start during pregnancy or at any time up to a year after the birth of a child. It is a deep and ongoing depression that lasts much longer than feeling blue. A mother or father with postpartum depression may not enjoy the baby. They may have frequent thoughts that they're a bad parent, and they may have scary thoughts about harming themselves or their baby. Although it's rare for a parent to make plans to act on these thoughts, the situation is serious and requires urgent medical care.
For more information, speak with your Family Physician or Nurse, or ask for a referral to a Mental Health Counsellor or Mental Health Group. Learn more about depression through the Canadian Mental Health Association.
What Are Substances?
Substances are things that change the way you feel and that can make the body react in a way that some people find enjoyable. Some things you might not think could be harmful, such as coffee or medications, are substances. Other things like alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana and harder drugs such as cocaine and heroin are substances too. People take substances by eating, smoking, drinking or injecting them.
What Happens When You Take Substances?
Substances can change your mood, change your brain, and have a negative effect on your body.
The more you use a substance, the harder it is to stop using it and the stronger the effect it has on your body and mind. For example, if you drink alcohol, you may have many of these problems:
- brain damage
- liver damage
- stomach problems
- heart and circulation problems
- problems with muscles and bones
- always feeling sick
- blackouts
- feeling tired all the time
- problems getting a good night's sleep
Stages of Substance Use
If you are using substances and you start having trouble doing your everyday activities, you are having a "substance abuse" issue.
There are five stages in substance use. The stages don't necessarily go in order from one to the next. Some users can jump from experimental use directly to dependent use (addiction) without going through the other stages.
- Non-Use: You do not use substances.
- Experimental Use: You begin using. You may start using for many reasons: for example, you may want to know what it feels like, or a friend may push you to try it. Experimental use can be as simple as having a few puffs on a joint or drinking a single beer.
- Recreational / Social Use: If all your friends are drinking, you may feel like the odd one out unless you drink too, so you pick up a beer to fit in. This stage is dangerous because it can grow into regular use.
- Regular Use: If you are a regular user, you may drink every day or every weekend, or every time you are with a certain group of friends. This stage is dangerous because it can grow into dependence. Drinking daily is not recommended for anyone.
- Dependent Use: You are physically and mentally dependent on the substance. Your body will feel like you need the substance and your mind will tell you that you need the substance. Repeated and regular use is beginning to make you sick. Your social position, your relationships with family and friends are becoming difficult, and sometimes you don't go to work, or you make mistakes. Money gets tight. Your mood is low. At this stage, you will have trouble controlling yourself. You will spend a lot of time thinking about your substance of choice.
Canadian Low Risk Drinking Guidelines Can Help You
As long as you choose to drink, you will be at some risk for the health problems mentioned above. You can limit the effects on your health by following these guidelines:
- Men: drink no more than 3 drinks per day, and no more than 15 per week. If you drink more than 5 drinks on one occasion, you are binge drinking.
- Women: drink no more than 2 drinks per day, and no more than 10 per week. If you drink more than 4 drinks on one occasion, you are binge drinking.
Are you concerned about your own drinking?
Speak to your doctor to be referred to the DrinkWise Group, or contact Melanie Sferrazza at 905-667-4852 to refer yourself.
Are you concerned about a friend or loved one who drinks? Is Their Drinking Making Your Life Difficult?
Speak to your doctor to be referred to the Family Support Group, or contact Melanie Sferrazza at 905-667-4852 to refer yourself.Click to edit text. Focus on how you can benefit your customers.
LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer. It is also used as a shorthand for longer acronyms like LGBTQ2SIA, which includes people who identify as queer or questioning, two-spirit, intersex, and asexual or aromantic.
People in the LGBTQ community can have more physical and mental health needs, in part because of the stress of living with discrimination. Below are crisis services, groups, and informational websites you may find helpful.
Events
The Hamilton Family Health Team (HFHT) gave a presentation at the RHO (Rainbow Health Organization) Conference on the work the HFHT Positive Committee has done to create positive spaces within our Family Health Team.
We also gave a presentation at the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario (AFHTO) conference, and created an excellent video that highlights our work to help patients of any gender or sexual orientation feel welcome in our practices. Check it out below:
Crisis support
Services and Groups in Hamilton & Area
International Resources
Services for LGBTQ newcomers
Informational websites
An eating disorder is a condition when a person is preoccupied with food, eating and their body weight and size. This condition can disrupt everyday behaviours, thoughts and decisions. The longer a person experiences an eating disorder, the more difficult it is to recover and become healthy. Eating disorders can cause many harmful effects to a person's health including mental, physical and social problems. For this reason, it is very important to get help as quickly as possible.
There are three main types of eating disorders:
Anorexia Nervosa
A person with Anorexia Nervosa will use unhealthy practices to restrict their food intake. These people will often experience extreme and dangerously unhealthy weight loss caused by excessive dieting. They usually have a negative body image and see themselves very differently than other people do.
Common symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa are:
- An obsession with being thin combined with an extreme fear of gaining weight or being fat
- Losing large amounts of weight without a valid cause (i.e. another illness)
- Restricting food intake even when feeling hungry
- Abusing laxatives or diet pills, vomiting and excessive exercise to rid the body of calories from food
- Physical signs of starvation such as loss of hair; dry, pasty skin; no menstrual periods; yellowing palms or soles of feet
A person with Anorexia Nervosa may experience a combination of these symptoms along with symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa. This condition can cause serious and life-threatening effects to a person's health.
Bulimia Nervosa
A person with Bulimia Nervosa will experience periods of binge eating followed by purging. These people will often eat a large amount of food quickly in an uncontrolled way. Afterwards, there is a powerful urge to rid the body of the food in some way. .
Common symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa are:
- Feeling out of control when eating
- Using unhealthy behaviours to rid the body of food after eating, including vomiting, taking laxatives, diet pills or diuretics, excessive exercise and skipping meals
- Constantly worrying about body weight and image. Weight may also go up and down frequently
- Physical symptoms of vomiting may include swelling of the cheeks or jaw area, hard and thick areas on the back of hands, and/or discoloured teeth
Bulimia Nervosa, like Anorexia Nervosa can be a life-threatening condition and can affect many areas of a person's life including close relationships with friends and family.
Binge Eating Disorder
People with Binge Eating Disorders eat large amounts of food at one time. This may be a result of extreme dieting and/or food restriction. Unlike people suffering from Bulimia Nervosa, those with Binge Eating Disorder do not take measures such as vomiting or laxatives to rid the body of food after binge eating. These people often overeat to comfort themselves emotionally.
Common symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder are:
- Eating large amounts of food in one sitting with no control on when to stop
- Eating in secret
- Restricting food for a long period of time to the point of over eating at the next meal
- Having feelings of guilt and shame about binge eating
- Feeling uncomfortably full after eating
Seeking Help:
If you think that you or someone you care about might have an eating disorder, it is very important to get professional help as soon as possible. The quicker you get help, the easier it will be for you to get your health back on track.
There are many ways you can get help with an eating disorder:
Your Doctor's Office
Speaking with your family doctor about your symptoms is the best place to start. Your family doctor can help you in the right direction towards finding professional help.
The Hamilton Family Health Team
If you are a patient of the Hamilton Family Health Team, you have access to one-on-one counselling with a Registered Dietitian who specializes in Eating Disorders. They can help you with normalizing your food intake and developing an eating plan for improving your health. Speak to your family doctor about connecting you with a Registered Dietitian.
Online Resources
There are a number of online resources to help you learn more about your condition as well as on where to find help:
The National Eating Disorder Information Centre provides helpful information on eating disorders and where to find professional help in your area.
Danielle's Place is an organization that offers support and help to those suffering from an eating disorder. They provide resources, self-help tools and special events designed to help and motivate people to overcome their struggles with an eating disorder.Click to edit text. Focus on how you can benefit your customers.
You don't have to be afraid of getting old. Your body and brain may change and you may not be able to do things the way you used to, but you can live a happy, healthy life as a senior citizen. It's important to eat well, live a balanced lifestyle, and keep in touch with friends and family.
Healthy aging is all about making healthy choices. Learn how you can make good choices about:
- Healthy eating over the age of 65
- Staying happy and connected with others
- Keeping your body in good shape
- Getting a good night's rest
Vaccines or immunizations (injections or shots) are the best way to protect against some very serious infections. The Canadian Paediatric Society and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization strongly recommend routine immunization. There are different immunizations for all ages, from babies to seniors. Please see the following resources for more information.
- Top 10 reasons to ask about Adult Immunization
- Immunizations for Adults
- Immunizations Myths and Facts
- Immunization Fact Sheets for Patients
- Hamilton Public Health Vaccines and Immunizations
- Vaccine Preventable Diseases
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Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a common, preventable childhood infection. In children, it is usually mild, but can be very uncomfortable. If adults get chickenpox, they can become very sick. Chickenpox can also be very harmful if you have a decreased immune system, such as if you have leukemia or are taking certain medications (e.g. steroids).
For more information on chickenpox, please visit the Caring for Kids website.
Fifth disease
Fifth disease is sometimes called "slapped cheek syndrome" because of the red rash it causes. It is an infection of the airway and lungs caused by Parvovirus B19. It's most common in late winter to early spring. Fifth disease is usually very mild and a child may not even feel sick. There is no vaccine to prevent the infection and no medication to treat it.
For more information on Fifth Disease, please visit the Caring for Kids website.
Hand mouth and foot disease
Hand foot and mouth disease is an infection caused by the Coxsackie virus. Though it mostly affects young children, it can happen at any age. Outbreaks are most common in the summer and fall. It is usually not a severe illness, and there is no treatment for the infection.
For more information on hand mouth and foot disease, please visit the Caring for Kids website.
Head lice
Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp, where they lay their eggs. Head lice do not spread disease, and having head lice does not mean you are not clean.
For more information on head lice, please visit the Caring for Kids website.
Lyme disease
Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria spread by the bite of a blacklegged tick, an animal found throughout Ontario mostly in grass and bushes. Ticks are related to spiders and feed on blood. They are small, slow-moving, and cannot fly. Most tick bites are painless, and there is only a small chance of getting Lyme disease from a tick.
For more information on Lyme disease, please visit the Caring for Kids website.
Pinworms
Pinworms are tiny, white, thread-like worms that live in the rectum. The worms crawl out of the anus (bum) at night and lay their eggs on nearby skin. Pinworms can be uncomfortable, but they do not cause disease. People who have pinworms aren't dirty. Children can get pinworms no matter how often they take a bath. They are very common in children and spread easily among children in child care.
For more information on pinworms, please visit the Caring for Kids website.
What is ringworm?
Ringworm is not actually caused by worms - it is a group of skin infections caused by mold-like fungi called dermatophytes that live on the dead tissues of the skin, hair, and nails.
For more information on ringworm, please visit the Caring for Kids website.
West Nile disease
West Nile virus is an infection that is carried by mosquitoes that have bitten an infected bird. It is found in many countries of the world, including Canada and the USA.
For more information on West Nile disease, please visit the Caring for Kids website.
It might be hard to think about, but a time will come when you will reach the end of your life. This does not have to be a bad or scary time! You can do some planning now to make sure you live your last days on earth in a way that is comfortable for you.
End of life planning
To plan for the end of your life, you should think about what kind of health care you want to have in case you aren't able to make or share these choices later. You should also think about what you would like to happen to your personal property after your death. Make sure you tell your family, friends and doctor about your choices.
Talking to people you trust about what matters to you at the end of life is called "advance care planning". Visit our Advance Care Planning webpage to learn more about what an advance care plan is and how you can make your own. Making an advance care plan is easy. It can make dying less stressful for you, your family and friends, and health care providers.
Visit our Powers of Attorney and Living Wills webpage to learn more about how to have someone you trust make decisions about your healthcare treatment or personal property in case you become too sick to make these choices yourself.
Care at the end of life
Care at the end of your life is sometimes called "palliative care". You might choose to have this kind of care if you have a health problem that can't be cured. The goal of palliative care is to make you feel comfortable, not to fix your health problem or make you live longer.
For more information about palliative care, and palliative care options in Hamilton, visit our Palliative Care webpage.
There are many situations in life that can affect your mood. Sometimes being sad or worried is a normal part of life, and you will get over it with time. But if your low mood or worrying gets bad enough that you don't find much joy in your day to day activities, or if you no longer enjoy activities that you used to, you could be suffering from a mood disorder.
If you have any of the following problems in your life, speak to your doctor and ask if you should be referred to a Mental Health Counsellor or to one of the Mental Health Groups.
- Depression
- Stress or anxiety
- Family problems
- Divorce/separation
- Drug or alcohol problems
- Bereavement/loss
- Work-related problems
Psychosis is a mental disorder where thoughts and emotions are impaired to the point that a person has, in some ways, lost touch with reality. People with psychosis have a range of symptoms that can be disabling. These include:
- Delusions: Delusions are things that someone firmly believes, but that are not true. For example, a person with psychosis may believe they are famous when they are not.
- Hallucinations: Hallucinations involve senses. They are experiences that feel very real but are not. The most common hallucinations involve hearing voices.
- Thought disorder: People with psychosis often have disorganized thinking. They may have trouble speaking in a way that makes sense to other people.
- Distress and mood changes: Psychosis can be very frightening, and people are often upset with what is happening to them. They may be sad or irritable.
- Social withdrawal is common as the person feels overwhelmed dealing with the symptoms. They may find it too stressful to do daily activities.
- Psychosis can be the main problem a person has, or it can be part of other illnesses, such as bipolar disorder or depression. When it is the main problem, it is often schizophrenia.
The experience of psychosis is different for each person. People may have a small or large number of psychotic symptoms, and symptoms can often start slowly, over several months, but can also come on quickly, over days to weeks.
Family and friends may also be frightened by the symptoms and the changes in their loved one. It's best to have the person assessed as quickly as possible. Family physicians can do this, but if it seems like the person wants to hurt themselves or others, this is a medical emergency. They should go to the hospital, or the crisis outreach team (COAST) can be called at 905-972-8338 to come do an assessment. If there is immediate risk, call the police. Police have the power to bring the person to a hospital and have training to respond in these circumstances.
It is important to remember that most people with psychosis are not dangerous to others. The bigger risk is of them hurting themselves if they see no way out.
If a loved one is having symptoms of psychosis, try to approach them in a calm manner and listen to them. Trying to talk them out of believing what they are experiencing doesn't usually work and can make things worse.
Psychosis is treatable. The sooner a person receives treatment, the quicker they will have relief from their distressing symptoms.
If something very scary happens to you, you may react in many different ways, such as feeling more nervous, having a hard time sleeping, or going over what happened in your mind. These are normal reactions to a frightening situation and they usually decrease over time. If these symptoms do not get better with time and are causing problems in your life, you may want to talk to your family doctor or mental health counsellor about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
PTSD is a mental illness that causes symptoms such as:
- re-experiencing the traumatic event
- avoiding things that remind you of the event
- feeling nervous all of the time
- startling easily
- having a hard time concentrating
- feeling irritable
- having problems sleeping
- feeling that something bad is going to happen
- feeling numb or disconnected from your body or thoughts
To read more about post-traumatic stress disorder, please visit the Canadian Mental Health Association's page on PTSD.
If you have problems in your life related to trauma, it's important to take your feelings seriously and talk to your doctor or nurse or ask to speak with a mental health counsellor. Your medical team may recommend counselling, medication or a support group. It is also helpful for your family members to seek support so that they know how to best help you.Click to edit text. Focus on how you can benefit your customers.
Smoking can hurt your body in many ways. It harms your lungs' natural cleaning and repair system, as well as the air sacs in your lungs, making it harder to breathe. As soon as you stop smoking, your body will start to clean itself of tobacco and its poisons. Your blood will be able to carry more air, and within two to three months, you will find it easier to breathe.
If you are looking to improve your health, the best thing you can do is quit smoking. Quitting is easier these days thanks to supports like counseling and medications - talk to your doctor about the best choice for you. Your doctor and any other supports can help you make a plan to quit smoking.
You can also check out the Smoker's Helpline to stop smoking today.Click to edit text. Focus on how you can benefit your customers.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious disease that usually attacks the lungs. It can also affect other parts of the body. For information about TB symptoms, testing and treatment, please visit the Government of Canada's website.
Diabetes is a condition where your body cannot use and save food for energy as it should. Your body gets energy from glucose, which is a form of sugar. Glucose comes from foods such as fruit, milk, some vegetables and sugar. To control your blood glucose, you need to eat healthy foods and be active, and you may need to take pills and/or insulin.
There are many types of diabetes, but most people have either Type 1 or Type 2:
- Type 1 diabetes, which used to be called insulin-dependent diabetes, happens when the body cannot produce insulin. To correct this, you would take insulin to keep glucose levels normal.
- Type 2 diabetes happens when the body makes insulin, but your cells do not use the insulin as they should. To correct this, you would not need to take insulin, but you would have to eat healthy foods, be active and keep track of your blood glucose levels.
You can find more information about Diabetes at the Canadian Diabetes Association.Click to edit text. Focus on how you can benefit your customers.
What are the kidneys?
The kidneys are two bean shaped organs that sit against muscles in the upper part of your stomach. There is one on the left side and one on the right side of your spine. The right kidney sits quite close to the liver.
The kidneys take waste away from the blood, and help the body balance fluids. They make urine (pee), and help with many other important body functions.
Healthline calls the kidneys a "powerhouse of activity". See a 3D image of the kidney and read more about the important jobs the kidneys do, including:
- removing waste
- controlling blood pressure
- balancing water levels
- controlling red blood cell production
- controlling acid
How do I keep my kidneys healthy?
Keeping your kidneys healthy is the best way to prevent kidney disease. Stopping disease before it starts is important because many people with kidney disease do not have any symptoms until it is too late. By the time it is found, most of the kidney function may be lost.
If you have one or more of the risk factors below, you may be at risk for kidney disease:
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- blood vessel diseases
- family history of kidney disease
- 55 years or older
- smoker
- obese (badly overweight)
- Aboriginal, Asian, South Asian, Pacific Island, African/Caribbean and Hispanic origin
Take the assessment tool from the Kidney Foundation of Canada to find risk factors and warning signs.
When your kidneys are no longer working well, you may need to change your diet. A Registered Dietitian can teach you which food choices will keep your kidneys as healthy as possible and help you to feel your best.
There are five nutrients that need to be considered when you have kidney disease:
Protein
Protein is a nutrient that builds, repairs and maintains your body tissues, fights infections and helps with wound healing. As your body breaks down protein foods, a waste product called urea is formed. If your kidneys cannot get rid of urea fast enough, it builds up in the blood and can make you feel unwell. Signs of high urea levels include tiredness, nausea, headaches and a bad taste in your mouth. If you eat too little protein, you may lose muscle, feel tired and have difficulty fighting infections. Your meal plan should provide enough protein for your body while limiting the amount of urea that is formed.
Sodium
Sodium affects your body fluids and blood pressure. It is important to limit your salt intake and avoid foods high in sodium, such as processed foods like "deli" meats, canned foods, convenience and "fast" foods and salty snacks.
Potassium
Potassium is a mineral needed for your nerves and muscles. Your body needs some potassium, but very high levels can cause heart problems. Many people with kidney disease do not need to limit their potassium intake, but if your levels become high, you may be told to avoid some high potassium foods.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is a mineral that keeps your bones strong and healthy. However, too much phosphorus may cause itchy skin or painful joints. When the kidneys start to fail, your blood phosphate level will rise. Therefore, you may need to limit certain foods such as milk, cheese and other dairy products, and protein foods such as meat, fish and poultry.
Fluids
Some people can drink as much as they like, while others need to limit their fluid intake. Ask your doctor what is right for you.
As kidney disease progresses, your dietary needs can change. Be sure to talk with your doctor and dietitian about your nutrition and how to best manage kidney disease.